Mar.27 (GMM) With the stewards rejecting the diffuser protest, the main controversy at the scene of the Australian grand prix got set to take its next steps.

Hinting at yet another protest against Brawn, Williams and Toyota after Sunday's chequered flag, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told the La Repubblica newspaper that he "can't rule out an angry gesture" at the end of the season opener.

The three teams' diffuser designs, while technically legal according to the regulations, contravene the "spirit" of the rules, the protesting teams argued in detailed protests numbering dozens of pages.

In first Friday practice, Williams was first and second fastest, while both Brawns were also within the top six.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport publication, meanwhile, reports that the protesting teams - Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault (BMW's protest was not allowed) - are indeed intending to now send the case to the FIA Court of Appeal.

They have already informed the stewards of their intention, which must be backed up with letters within two days.